Plant This Eye-Catching Perennial Herb In Your Container Garden For A Tasty Harvest.

Container gardening has a lot going for it. It lets you grow plants where you otherwise can't. For example, it works well in areas with poor soil or no soil at all, such as balconies and patios. The real challenge, however, is picking the right plants. After all, not every plant grows well in containers. But what if there were a plant that thrived in containers, looked striking, returned year after year, and produced a tasty harvest? That is exactly what Red-Veined Sorrel (Rumex sanguineus) brings to the table. It is a versatile perennial herb prized both for its ornamental beauty and its culinary use.

The red-veined sorrel has lime-green leaves that are marked with deep-red veins. This creates a contrast that looks beautiful both in container gardens as well as in other mixed plantings, especially with red and bright blue flowers. However, you can also use it as an edging plant or under young fruit trees in your garden. It grows best outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8 when planted in containers or pots. If you live outside these zones, you can still plant it as an annual or just take it inside during the winter.

Successful container gardening starts with choosing the right container. For red-veined sorrel, choose a container about 12 inches wide and at least 6 to 12 inches deep. Avoid planting it in anything smaller or shallower. Red-veined sorrel develops a deep taproot and spreads about 1 to 1½ feet wide, and smaller containers might limit its growth. Once you have the right container, fill it up with a well-draining potting mix and plant the seeds. The best time to plant the seeds is in the spring.

Next, place the container in a spot that gets plenty of sun. Red-veined sorrel is a full-sun plant, so you must make sure that it gets about six hours of sunlight each day. For watering, keep the soil consistently moist and do not let it dry out. Just don't overwater. It is one of the biggest mistakes you can make with your container garden. Likewise, don't overfertilize your red-veined sorrel as well. You only need to apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during active growth.

After planting, the leaves typically reach harvest size in about 60 days. And the good thing about red-veined sorrel is that you can treat it as a cut-and-come-again crop. Harvest leaves as needed, and plants will continue producing new foliage through summer and sometimes into midwinter. Just make sure to harvest the leaves when they are still young and tender. Older leaves tend to be somewhat tough and bitter.